Improvement in corsets



C. L. OLMSTEAD.

Corset. No. 163,685. Patented May 25,1875.

THE GRAPHIC CLPHD O -LITM.39&41 PARK PLAULNK UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAUNOEY L. OLMSTEADLOF WEST BROOKFIELD, MASS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND WATERMAN & MAYER, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT lN CORSETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 163,685, dated May 25, 1875; application filed April 6, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHAUNcEY L. OLM- STEAD, of 'West Brookfield, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Skirt-Supporting Corsets, of which the following is a specification:

My invention does not relate, broadly, to a hoop removably connected to the corset at the ends, and forming a bustle or skirt supporter, as a skirt-supporter has been made of a hoop connected at the ends, and sustained by a bracket that is attached at both the upper and lower ends, as in Letters Patent No.153,805. My invention consists in spring supportingbraces extending below, and combined with, a spring-hooowherebythe hoop will be sustained by the spring-braces, and will yield inwardly by external pressure, and swing outwardly with the skirts, and sustain the same by transferring the weight from the hoop to the lower part of the corset, which rests upon the muscular portion of the body at the back and below the waist, so as to relieve the waist and upper portions of the body fromstrain. I make these braces and hoop removable from the corset, so as to be disconnected whenever desired, or when the corset is tobe washed.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of said corset and bustle; and Figs. 2 and3 are, respectively, a sectional plan and elevation of the device for attaching the ends ofthe hoop to the corset. (Shown in larger size.)

The corset a is of usual character. The hoop b is, preferably, of hoop-skirt wire covered, and with a clasp, c, at each end, firmly attached, and provided with the elongated button z. At the proper places upon the corset the plates 01 are attached, and these each have elongated openings standing in the opposite directions to the elongations of the buttons i, so that said buttons can only be entered into place through the plates by bending the spring-wire hoop around until the ends stand nearly at right angles to its normal position, whereby the buttons will securely hold the hoop in place, but allow of such hoop being connected or disconnected as occasion requires. The springbraces e c are connected at their upper ends to the hoop b by metallic clips, and their lower ends pass into pockets 1 upon the lower part of the corset. These spring braces transfer the weight of the clothing from the supportinghoop to the lower and projecting portions of the body, and relieve the Waist; and, when the supporter is compressed by the wearer occupying a sitting posture, said. braces 6 swing toward the body, and the hoop compresses at the back, and bows out toward the ends, and the entire supporter can be removed from the corset whenever desired.

In the corsets heretofore made with a bracket at the back, connected at both ends to the corset, the skirt-supporter is not free to yield to external pressure because the bracket is rigid.

I claim as my invention In combination with a corset, the hoop b, fastenings c d, spring-braces e e, and pocketsl Z, all constructed and arranged to operate sub stantially as and for the purposes set forth.

Signed by me this 2d day of of April, A. D. 1875.

O. L. OLMSTE AD. Witnesses:

GEo. T. PINGKNEY, GHAs. E. SMITH. 

